Tech-Savvy Bureaucrat Brings Unique Blend of Experience to Sikkim’s Capital
Gangtok, Sikkim – In a recent administrative reshuffle, Kshitij Saxena, a 2019-batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of the Sikkim cadre, has been appointed as the Divisional Forest Officer (Territorial), Gangtok—a key leadership position within the state’s Forest Department.
Prior to this, he was serving as DFO (Territorial) in Gyalshing.
From Circuits to Conservation: A Remarkable Journey
Mr. Saxena’s career path is as diverse as it is inspiring. An alumnus of BITS Pilani, he holds dual degrees in MSc (Hons.) Physics and B.E. (Hons.) Electronics & Instrumentation. His transition from the tech world to environmental governance was marked by success in the UPSC Indian Forest Service Exam 2018, where he secured an impressive All India Rank (AIR) 22.
Before joining the IFS, he held influential roles such as:
Legislative Assistant to a Rajya Sabha MP via PRS Legislative Research
Research Assistant in the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Haryana
Internships at NIT Karnataka, ESS DEE Aluminium Ltd., and New Leaf Dynamic Technologies
Bringing Research to the Roots
Since joining the IFS in December 2019, Saxena has been leveraging his policy and research experience to enhance forest governance in Sikkim’s environmentally sensitive zones. His work has focused on community engagement, sustainable practices, and scientific forestry.
Notable recognitions include
Certificate of Appreciation from the Haryana Government for work on Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) in pension schemes
First Prize at BITS Pilani’s APOGEE for a project on real-time object detection
Translation Excellence Award from New Leaf Dynamic Technologies
Academic Excellence Meets Leadership
At BITS Pilani, Saxena was not only an academic achiever but also a campus leader—serving in the University Senate, participating in the Hindi Drama Club, and contributing to Cactus Flower, the institute’s literary magazine.
A Crucial Role Ahead
As he assumes charge as DFO (T) Gangtok, Mr. Saxena is set to oversee vital biodiversity conservation, habitat management, and eco-tourism efforts in one of India’s most ecologically rich regions. His mix of technological insight, policy acumen, and field experience positions him as a dynamic leader in Sikkim’s forest administration.
